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Sharing Food and Memories with Friends and Family

Certain rituals signaled that the holidays were approaching. The parquet floors of our apartment were waxed, the silver Kiddush cups, candelabra, sugar bowl and prongs (used to pick up the sugar cubes) were polished , new dresses were bought, and shoes were purchased at Buster Brown. I still remember walking up several stairs to the little platform in the middle of the store so that our feet could be x-rayed, insuring a proper fitting shoe.

On Rosh Hashana the four of us went to Shul, something we only did on the holidays. Everyone got dressed up and when we returned home for the Yontif meal, the table was “dressed” as well. My mother spared no expense during a holiday, it was her way of transmitting the significance of the day to her children. As a child I loved it all, but only now do I understand that despite the hard work, my mother’s happiness stemmed from being able to take care of her family. May your year be filled with abundance and beauty, and the gift of having family to take care of. Gut Yontif, Gut Yohr.

Vegetable Confetti (pretty enough for Rosh Hashana)

3 large eggplants, diced into 1” pieces

6 large peppers, two each of, red, yellow and orange, cored and diced

1 red onion, peeled and diced

3 ears of corn, kernels removed

2/3 cup of olive oil

1 dozen cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and left whole

2 tsp salt

2 tsp pepper

2 Tb honey

Take two cookie sheets and line them with parchment paper. Place diced eggplant on one sheet, peppers and onion on the other. Divide remaining ingredients between the two trays of vegetables and toss to coat with seasonings and olive oil. Roast vegetables at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes or till tender and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Note: Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for the holidays.